Bangladesh batsman Mosaddek Hossain plays a shot during their second one-day international match against Afghanistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.
Debutant Mosaddek Hossain rescued Bangladesh from embarrassment through his responsible knock in the second one-day international against Afghanistan at Mirpur on Wednesday.
Mosaddek scored unbeaten 45 runs to help Tigers post 208 in 49.2 overs resurrecting the side with the help of last man Rubel Hossain.
Tigers were at dire straits at one stage when the Afghanistan spinners took the control by reducing them to 165-9 as they lose their way after being comfortably placed at 111-2.
The sudden collapse indicated a very casual approach by the hosts’ batting unit that lacked both application and temperament.
Mosaddek, 20-year old right-hander, did not lose his head and instead seized the opportunity and guided his team past 200 runs mark.
If the middle-order collapse is a sheer act of foolishness, the way both openers Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar gave away their wicket charging down the wicket can only be termed as irresponsibility.
Mosaddek seemed to be the only exception as he looked poised during his 45-ball stay that featured four boundaries and two sixes but most importantly he added valuable 43 runs during the last wicket stand with Rubel (10).
Bangladesh accommodated Mosaddek in the playing XI at the expense of Imrul Kayes though out –of-form Soumya Sarkar can consider himself lucky to have another go.
Soumya (20) hardly looked to be serious enough to judge the crisis as he danced down the wicket to become Mirwas Ashraf’s second victim, who earlier removed Tamim Iqbal in the previous over.
Bangladesh were going strong with Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim but somehow looked to have lose their head dealing with Afghanistan spinners.
Earlier, Mahmudullah got an inside edge while Sakib al Hasan and Sabbir Rahman also looked to be in a hurry to return back to the national dressing room.
Mosaddek, who scored 76 runs in the opening practice game against the visitors, looked to take a different course altogether.
Mosaddek did not hesitate to take his time initially and only when he was joined by last man he started to put some late dose of boundaries.
Mosaddek, who is known to have grown the reputation of taking his team out of danger in the domestic circuit with his calculative batting coming down the order, just repeated the act at the international stage.
The cool headed batsman showed his innovativeness through the scoop over long-leg against pace man Naveen-ul- Haq while a pull over midwicket against Dawlat Zadran was an indication of confidence he is carrying under his belt.
Mosadek, who is the fourth highest scorer for Tigers on debut after Nasir Hossain (63) ,Farhad Reza(50) and Khaled Mahmud(47) can call himself unlucky not to earn his fifty.
Pace bowler Rubel Hossain ran himself out as he was slightly late to take the decision of going for the second run that was always on the card.
Source: New Age